Headlines

Economy Forces Changes in Publishing Industry Favorable to Circuit Rider Books

U.S.A. • October 2009

The past six months has brought numerous changes to the publishing industry because of the ongoing economic downturn. More and more books are being listed as "print on demand" status, taking advantage of new technological developments that allow a 300 page book to be printed and bound in just 5 minutes. This saves printing and warehousing costs for books originally published more than a year ago. Print runs of new books are smaller since reprints are easier to obtain quickly.

While this keeps warehouse stocks lower, and primarily in the East for mainline protestant books, it does open the door for Circuit Rider Books to consider having it's own print-on-demand machine to quickly print and ship older titles. We are in conversations with publishers to obtain the rights to do this, as well as to offer e-books and bundles of print, e-book, and audio formats. We are also in conversation with the manufacturers of print-on-demand machines to see how their products can fit into our future.

We are circulating a proposal advocating good stewardship in publishing and distribution in the Western U.S.A. You can view this proposal here. In summary, it suggests that publishers, print on demand machine manufacturers, and Circuit Rider Books partner to fill the huge gap in mainline protestant resources west of the Rocky Mountains. It also suggests that shipping materials from the East is not good stewardship of our environment, when resources can now be printed and distributed locally and quickly as they are ordered.

Board of Directors Acts to Ensure the Continued Ministry of Circuit Rider Books

Dallas, Oregon • 29 August 2009

At its meeting today, the Board of Directors approved several measures designed to ensure the continued economic viability of Circuit Rider Books.

To address the lack of funds for immediate operational needs, the Board of Directors has approved a complete suspension of event services as of 01 October 2009. Individual and group orders will be continue to be filled as usual.

The board has also determined that it is no longer feasible to continue offering discounts to Covenant Partners without mission funding support. As of 01 January 2010, regular discounts will be offered only to those persons and churches who have become Sustaining Partners. At just $25 (or more) per year, this is an inexpensive way for many people to join together to provide the basic funding that is required to keep Circuit Rider Books' ministry viable and expanding. Existing covenant agreements will be renegotiated during the last quarter of 2009.

Given sufficient funding, the Board of Directors plans to approve resuming full services at its January 2010 meeting.

Watch your normal channels of communication and this website for weekly updates, and please feel free to contact any of our volunteers, Staff, or Board of Directors members, to see how you can help keep mainline protestant Christian books in the West!